A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) (25 page)

She wished he would run away and get help. Desperate to tell him so, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come.

Jacob made his way back around the log and stood before her with his back to the trees where Alvin skulked.

“You should’ve taken the warnings to heart, my lady. For he’s been waiting for this moment.”

Jacob’s body crumbled to the ground and Alvin stood behind him holding a massive rock. He tossed the small boulder aside, and knelt by her head.

“My lady, I will return. I will … get help.”

Frances nodded slightly and closed her eyes. She knew it was futile for another was coming, the one who would kill her. By the time Alvin returned with help she would be entering the hereafter.

* * *

Alvin wasn’t as smart as others, but he knew when someone was in danger. During his morning trek to find pieces of wood that fell from the storm during the night, he saw Lady Frances and her predicament. He knew he had to do something for the man was going to hurt her. A woe came to him though, for he’d never harmed another before, and yet the bad man deserved the massive bump on his head.

He’d begun running toward the Hume keep, and his breath labored from the arduous race. Each minute he took put the lady in grave danger and he hurried. When the keep came into view, he quickened his feet and continued to sprint toward the gates.

Hunched over, holding his stomach, trying to catch his breath, he stood by the iron postern, and hoped someone would come.

“Who goes? Oh, ‘tis you Alvin. What are you doing here? You never leave the village.”

His breath came harshly, and he said between breaths, “My … lady … is … in … trouble.”

Archibald opened the gate, pulled him inside, and ordered the lads standing nearby to close them again. “Wait here, I’ll get Lord Hume.”

By the time his breathing came under control, the fearsome lord stood before him. And with him stood the giant he’d seen with the lady when she’d come to the village. Beyond him were even more giants, and he crept backward.

“What do you here? Archibald says you told him my lady is in trouble. Where is she?”

But the lord’s voice scared him, and he retreated. He didn’t want the lord to be angry with him, and he stepped back against the wall and wouldn’t speak.

The lord grasped his tunic, and his eyes looked angry. Alvin took hold of his arms to keep him from lifting him.

“Sean, let me speak to him. I’ve met the lad. Release him, you’re scaring him.” James pushed through the group and stood near, but not too near as to frighten him.

“Alvin, can you take us to milady? Is she hurt?”

He nodded.

“Is that an
aye that she’s hurt or an aye that you can take us to her?” James motioned to Archibald to raise the gate.

He nodded again. When the gate was raised high enough, Alvin ducked under the spikes at the bottom and took off in haste. The giants followed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Sean was gladdened he’d returned from the village when he had. For if he’d found any men to aid him, he wouldn’t have been there when Alvin came. There were only a few women present in the village, because the men had taken to a hunt.

He was planning his next course of action when he’d been told the lad found her. His throat grew thick with worry, and he didn’t want to hear distressing news. Apprehension filled him, and even so, he hastened to the lad and followed him.

By the time Sean reached the clearing where Alvin led them, the snow ended. A gale whipped the trees and bushes, sending chill to the air. Sean’s mouth went dry and his muscles tensed when he saw from afar, her body lying unmoving on the log.

All that he was ceased: his breath, his heart, his mind. A shudder brought him out of it, and he rushed forth. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. Sean continued to move forward, and knelt next to the log, hoping and praying that she wasn’t injured.

“Frances,” her name came from his lips in a tormented lament.

She didn’t appear to be breathing, and his own life halted in that moment. Wish shaking fingers, Sean gently pried the bloom from her hands and tossed it aside. Her skin was warm and flush with life. He touched her face, wishing her eyes would flutter so he knew she lived.

Sean leaned over her and gently kissed her lips. He heard a small intake of breath and her eyes scrunched as if panic gripped her. “It’s me, Sean. Aye, I’m here, love.”

She seemed to relax, but she didn’t open her eyes.

He lifted her body, and held her in his trembling arms. His lady appeared uninjured, and likely had been poisoned for she wouldn’t waken.

James stood by Alvin asking questions. Sean caught some of it as he passed them.

“I hit him with a rock and he fell there,” the lad said, pointing near the wide log Frances lain upon.

“You don’t know who he was?” James paced the length of the log and looked as concerned as he was.

“Nay, I saw ‘
em from the back.” Alvin paced next to James.

“Where’d he go?” James asked.

“I know not. Came … for help.” Alvin walked next to Sean and wouldn’t allow him to move ahead, and kept the pace all the way back to the keep.

Nearly twenty men followed and they all continued back to the keep with him, trailing behind him grimly.

Sean turned to Grey, his eyes imploring. “Have the healer fetched. And have the entire grounds searched for someone with a bump on his head.”

He hastened inside and took Frances to their chamber, and noticed the box on the bedding was empty except for a pair of shackles. What had the banshee intended?

A knot hit his stomach, but he was thankful he’d found her in time. He backhanded the box off the bed and set her in the center. His comrades stood near the doorway, all quietly watching, and Sean realized he couldn’t undress her in front of them.

“Go and take rest. I’ll get Frances settled and then we’ll go hunting.”

A few gruff agreements came and all left but Grey. He stood behind him, rubbing his temples.

“She’s been poisoned,” he said wearily.

Grey spoke in a awed tone, “I’ll find out if James can make a remedy for the poison.”

“Aye, that might be needed. I’ll see what the healer says when she gets here.” As soon as Grey left, Sean touched Frances’ face, his touch gentle. Her eyes remained closed and her breathing shallow. She barely hung on to life.

Sean started to remove her gown and tried his best not to damage it. He knew how much she adored it and so had he with her in it. When she was freed of the gown, he took note of any injuries and noticed none. He realized Frances hadn’t tried flee, for there was no indication that she’d been running. No abrasions on her legs or cuts from branches at her gown either.

The despicable banshee poisoned her to incapacitate, and she was unable to fight back. Reason gave him to believe he overpowered her, and she wasn’t able to gain her release when he’d taken her. He assessed her hands, and saw blood beneath her fingernails. She’d scratched him. Mayhap she was able to fight.

The healer arrived and so had James. He held various items and began setting them on the table near the window.

With a pestle, James set about his task, mumbling. “I’ll ground
mugwort and thyme leaves. It should take away the effects.” He handed the small vessel to the healer, encouraging her to take it.

“What’s this?” she asked, setting it aside.

“For milady. It’s a tonic that will bring her to. It’ll help rid her of the poisons. You’ll need to try to get it in her. Here,” he said, and handed her a cup of water.

“Nay, we must remove all her garments. My lord, if you’ll remove her shift?” the healer stepped back allowing Sean to move in. He quickly undressed her and then covered her with the tartan at the end of the bed.

“Now we’ll have to empty her stomach. Get that bowl, James, and be quick about it.” Muriel moved in and used a spoon to get Frances to wretch.

Sean couldn’t bear to watch the ordeal, and paced in the chamber. When he looked to see what was happening, he wished he hadn’t. His wife’s body
convulsed, and it tore his heart to shreds.

“My lord, move aside the window coverings. She’ll need lots of air.”

“Won’t it get too cold? She’ll freeze.” He was hesitant to do what she ordered.

“She’s been poisoned and the fresh air will help her. Now pray open them. We’ll keep her warm enough.” Muriel pulled another covering over Frances.

Frances had settled and lay unmoving. Sean was about to order them all leave so he could be alone with her in her final moments. For his trepidation led him to believe she would not survive.

James pressed forward between him and the healer, and began spooning in the remedy he’d made. “I tell you, she needs this tonic to combat the poisons and make her heart beat.”

As soon as he’d emptied the small blow, he took a cup and held it to France’s mouth forcing the liquid down her throat. He got a good bit into her and then wiped her face with a clean cloth.

“Nonsense, James. I’ve never heard of such a remedy for poison. As much as I deem herbs can be good, once a poison enters the blood, there’s nothing to do. My lady will come to when she’s good and ready.” The healer inspected the rest of Frances and remained staid.

“Muriel, I’ll hear no argument. She’ll awaken soon, Sean. Have no worry.”

He’d caught James’ confidence for he did have hope and wouldn’t despair no matter how much woe gripped him. Sean’s body relaxed when Frances let out a groan. If she felt pain then she would be able to overcome this.

The entire keep was emptied save for the Gunns and a few of the servants that stayed there. Four sentry parties were sent out to find the banshee that hurt his wife. Despite his wish to be amongst the search party when they found him, he was needed more by her side.

A knock came at the chamber door in mid morn. Grey stood outside it. “Sean, they found the two guards and Benson. They’d been knocked out, bound, and hidden in the garrison. They’re well, no harm really. The healer is tending them.”

“I am glad they’re all right. Will you stay outside the door while I check on Trudy?”

Grey nodded, and Sean headed for the nursery door. He wouldn’t leave, because he wanted to be there when Frances awoke. With all that happened, he’d forgotten to let Mistress Ina know it was safe.

Colm moved aside, saying nothing, but gave him a sympathetic nod. Sean was relieved his friend had followed his orders and stayed put.

He knocked three times at the nursery door. Mistress Ina let him inside, and Trudy sat hunched in her bedding with her cat in her lap, looking as doleful as he was.

“Wee love, come.”

She hastened off the bed, and he took her to see her mother. “I told
ye you would see her when you awakened. Och your mother doesn’t feel well and we must let her rest.”

Trudy’s sleepy eyes took in her mother lying in her bedding. “Is she sleeping like Alice?”

Sean lifted the sprite in his arms. “Nay, your momma will awaken soon. I’m afraid Alice will not.”

“Aye, she’s very tired.”

“Aye, she is.” He pressed her close, giving her a quick hug, and then set her on her feet. “Now go with Mistress Ina. She’ll get you some food. And be a good lass.”

“What’s that?” Trudy pointed to something near the bed.

Sean jumped back and plucked Trudy from the floor, when a large spider crawled at the base of the bed. The thing was almost as large as his hand, hairy, and quite gruesome. He passed Trudy to Madam Ina, and took his sword and jabbed it until it moved no more.

“Take her from here. I need to check the chamber.”

“I’ll see to the keep, my lord. I’ll send you a bit of food. You must be ravenous after such a long night.” Mistress Ina carried Trudy, and left the chamber.

But Sean knew he wouldn’t be able to eat, not after such tormented night. He continued to search the chamber for any other dangers and found two other spiders as large as the one he’d killed. After dispatching them, he scooped the vile creatures up with a piece of parchment and put them in the box that lay on the floor. Once he had the box closed, the tossed it out the window.

He banked the fire in the hearth and went to peer outside. As he stood by the window casement, he couldn’t help thinking the banshee was out there somewhere and as he lived and breathed, he would find him.

Sean closed the window casement coverings because the day grew colder. It didn’t appear that it would snow again and the storm they’d had was a mite early for the season.

Frances moaned. Sean hastened to her bedside, and waited with baited breath. She opened her eyes then closed them.

“Frances.”

She breathed deeply, and opened her eyes again. “Jacob.”

“What say you? Jacob? What about Jacob?”

“He … attacked … me.”

Confusion riddled him. He couldn’t believe what she’d told him. “Jacob?
Our Jacob? Are you certain?”

She nodded slightly. “Aye,” she said groggily. “He took me to the woods.”

“My love, you’re safe now. Rest and we’ll find him.”

She rolled to her side, and reached out to touch his hand to stop him from moving away. “Another … there’s another. He said someone was coming … who would kill … me.”

“Aye? Worry not. I’ll see to it. How do you feel?” Sean didn’t want her upset.

“Better. My head … is clearing but aches.”

“I must go, love. Rest and I will return. I’ll have Colm and Duff stand guard and protect you, but I have to find him.”

She nodded and closed her eyes.

Sean retreated to the main hall, and found his Gunn clansmen sitting silent and morose. “I know who attacked her.”

Each man stood and joined him at the entrance. After a barrage of questions, he bid Duff and Colm to see to Frances. He ignored their questions, intent only in finding his adversary.

He cared about her.

He loved her.

He wanted to protect her.

Jacob’s words came back to him, and he remembered what he’d said when they found Winifred. Sean realized that he’d been present when each
lass was found. Aye, the man knew where they were, because he’d fucking put them there.

Grey followed him out the doorway as did Kenneth and James. They’d snatched their bows from the entrance, and Sean unsheathed his sword. His laird wore that expression, the one he’d only seen a few times, the one he’d worn when he gave him Lord William’s missive.

Sean’s gesture cued them in on his intent. They knew him well, and there was no need to explain. He marched with heavy feet down the steps and into the bailey.

“The entire keep was searched thoroughly, and no one found anyone with a bump on his head. Jacob, your steward, just returned and gave us a report.” Grey almost bumped into him when he stopped walking abruptly.

“He just left? Come, he’s who I am seeking.”

Kenneth matched his formidable stride, and hastened next to him. “Is he the one who harmed Frances?”

Sean only nodded. He headed toward the stables to where Jacob kept an office of sorts. His comrades were just as heated as he, and when they neared, several unsheathed their swords. But as they approached the stables, they saw Jacob running around the side of the building, and taking off toward the back of the keep’s walls.

James and Kenneth took arrows and set them in their bows. He wanted to get his bare hands on the man’s neck. Sean kept walking with hefty steps toward his enemy. The man continued to look back and knew they were after him.

“Don’t kill him,” he said to his comrades. “I want to be the one who does.”

Arrows flew at the banshee, the hum filling the air. Three arrows struck his shoulder, abdomen, and the third grazed his arm. As the fourth one hit his thigh, he fell to the ground. When Sean reached his body, he stood over him, glaring at the scratches on Jacob’s face.